The Black Cats created a host of goalscoring opportunities - by their manager's reckoning, 33 - and yet ended up on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline as they lost at home in the Barclays Premier League for the first time this season and just the second in 2010.

Bruce said: "Thirty-three attempts is probably as many as we have had in three months, if the truth be known.

"Take Liverpool v Wolves on Wednesday night - there were four attempts by each team at goal.

"It was an unbelievable game. I couldn't fault the team, they did everything possible. We just needed to score a goal.

"That's why we have invested in [Darren] Bent, [Asamoah] Gyan and [Danny] Welbeck. They are very, very capable when they get a chance. But unfortunately, it left them behind on Tuesday."

Manchester City assistant manager Brian Kidd believes Roberto Mancini's side are on course to meet their season's target of a top four Barclays Premier League finish.

City are currently second in the table and five points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, albeit having played more games than most of their rivals.

They take on Blackpool tomorrow in their New Year's Day fixture, with Kidd happy with their form so far.

"The lads have done terrifically well," he said.

"It has always been a top four place that we were aiming for and we are doing OK on that. But nobody is getting carried away and we know there is a lot of hard work to come."

Ian Holloway's Blackpool side have more than matched expectations, defying predictions of a relegation battle by sitting mid-table at the halfway point.

Holloway, meanwhile, is hoping to boost his side further by welcoming Marlon Harewood back from injury in the near future following a hamstring problem.

"We are trying to get him through this hamstring situation," Holloway said.

"He hasn't had them before but now he has had two since he has been with us."

Holloway added: "He has already chipped in with five goals, so it would be nice to get him going again and get him fit.

"I do see with some of these games, I'll be able to put him in and give him a certain amount of time - very soon, I think."

Fulham are away to fellow Londoners Tottenham on the back of a commendable win at Stoke this week with boss Mark Hughes admitting the victory eases the pressure slightly.

"Yes, probably last week the focus was on me, this week it will be somebody else, and next week it will be another person who has a bit of focus on them and their position but that's what happens in the job we have."

West Brom boss Roberto Di Matteo believes his team will approach their game against leaders Manchester United in their usual positive manner despite a difficult home defeat by Blackburn in their last game.

"We play with no fear against anybody, that's been our strength,'' he said.

Liverpool host Bolton on the back of 1-0 defeats for both sides - the former going down at home to struggling Wolves.

Stoke and Everton clash while Birmingham host Arsenal and relegation rivals West Ham and Wolves meet at Upton Park.

On Sunday, Chelsea host Aston Villa and Wigan are at home to Newcastle.